Welcome back to the Writer’s Block series, where we’ve been discussing the mental hurdles that can hold us back from achieving our writing goals and how to overcome them. One of the best ways to combat Writer’s Block is to understand that it’s simply a figment of your imagination.

Here are 5 reasons Writer’s Block is a Myth:

1. There’s nothing you can’t learn

Often, we hold back from pursuing a new story idea or continuing a project because of this subconscious feeling that we don’t know what we’re talking about, or we don’t know the “right” way to tell the story. But this is the Information Age, where the answer to anything and everything is at our fingertips thanks to Google and AI. Get those ideas down and do your best. When you go back to revise, you can research anything you were uncertain about and brush up on your craft.

2. There’s nothing you can’t improve

Just like with our first point, the idea of not quite “pulling it off” can hold us back from continuing on our writing journey. But you can fix anything you like in revision. Push through that fear and finish that manuscript. Then, after a brief break, go back and note what you think you could do better. A simple search on Google or YouTube will lead you to a wealth of resources to improve on that skill.

3. There’s an audience for every writer

Plenty of writers’ creativity is hindered by the thought of others not liking their writing. As we went over in Part One of this series, not everyone is going to like your writing. But that doesn’t mean no one will. No matter how off-the-beaten path your story may be, you’re practically guaranteed to find some readers who like it. And if any tweaks need to be made, your beta readers/critique partners will let you know. Keep writing!

4. There’s time

As we discussed in Part One of this series, the idea of being “too busy” to sit down and write is a myth in itself. It’s all about what you prioritize.  Want to make this writing dream happen? Get in some pages in the morning, on lunch, before bed. You could even jot ideas down on your phone while taking the bus. We put time and effort into what we prioritize. So if achieving your goal is important to you, you’ll make it happen.

5. There are people who’ve got your back

When it all comes down to it, you can achieve your goals because someone out there believes in you. Family, friends, writing groups. Even if you don’t have reliable readers in your circle, you can reach out to critique partners and groups online for free support and advice. You’re not on your own in this journey. Help is always available.

Conclusion

Like most goals, writing dreams aren’t achieved when mental barriers are in the way. Combat the boogeyman of Writer’s Block by understanding it’s simply a negative state of mind. Choose to have a more optimistic perspective and you’ll be unstoppable. Wondering how the idea of Writer’s Block is holding you back from achieving your writing goals? Check out Part Three of the Writer’s Block Series here.